ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Looking for ways to get into the holiday spirit? St. Augustine is a beautiful place to visit during the holidays, with more than 1 million sparkling lights that make the city glow with charm. To explore all of the magic the St. Augustine area has to offer, here is a selection of events to help plan your visit:

Nights of Lights

Nov 17 – Jan 31

Come see one of the best holiday lighting displays in the world, as millions of tiny white lights create a magical atmosphere for St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights. The spectacular lighting and white candle displays reflect the city’s history and create a beautiful setting for everlasting holiday memories. For more information, visit https://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/nights-lights. Location: Plaza de la Constitucion King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Villa Zorayda Museum’s Annual Candlelight Tour

Nov 23 – Jan 5

See the museum beautifully decorated, with a spectacular Christmas tree and over 100 candles for the Holidays. Choose your Candlelight Tour date, and come early to enjoy Christmas cookies and punch. For more information, call 904-829-9887 or visit https://villazorayda.com/candlelighttours/. Location: 83 King St., St. Augustine, FL 32084

Christmas Parade

Dec 1

This family-friendly, two-hour parade includes floats, horses, marching bands and the arrival of Santa. For more information, call 904-824-4997 or visit https://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/events/christmas-parade. Location: Mission Nombre De Dios, Historic Streets St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Colonial Night Watch

Dec 1

Join hundreds of costumed re-enactors from St. Augustine’s colonial history as they perform military drills and cannon and musket firing at the Castillo De San Marcos in this free, all-day event. Don’t miss out on activities, a parade, and so much more! For more information, call 732-309-2322 or visit https://hfm.club/nightwatch/.

University of North Florida Chorale and Chamber Singers Presents Miracles: “Messiah”

Dec 1

The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall is excited to welcome the University of North Florida Chorale and Chamber Singers, for a night of “Messiah” Favorites and Carols of Mystery. This holiday event combines popular selections from Handel’s “Messiah” with three settings of the famous “O Magnum Mysterium Text”. For more information, call 904-209-0399 or visit https://www.historiccoastculture.com/event/university-north-florida-chorale-chamber-singers-presents-miracles-messiah/. Location: 1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Hastings Hometown Christmas Parade

Dec 8

The holiday celebration continues after the parade at the Hastings Library for tree decorating, pictures with Santa, make-your-own ornament, live music and so much more. For more information, call 904-827-6970 or visit https://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/events/hastings-hometown-christmas-parade. Location: 6195 S. Main St., Hastings, FL 32145

St. Augustine Winter Spectacular

Dec 8

Enjoy a family-friendly performance for the Winter Spectacular by The Dance Company. The performance features many dance styles, holiday scenes and characters. Performances are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College. For more information, call 904-471-4946 or visit http://www.staugustinewinterspectacular.com/. Location: 14 Granada St., St. Augustine, FL 32084

Holiday Regatta of Lights

Dec 8

Join the St. Augustine Yacht Club, for a free, family-friendly event, as they host the annual holiday parade. The boats will light up St. Augustine’s Matanzas Bay, and awards are presented for most colorful, best theme, best in class and best overall. For more information, call 904-824-9725 or visit https://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/events/holiday-regatta-lights. Location: St. Augustine Bayfront, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Castillo Holiday Open House

Dec 8

Come to the Castillo de San Marcos, as its doors will be open for a free, family-friendly St. Augustine holiday tradition. Explore the Castillo by lantern light, watch cannon firings, and interact with staff and volunteers, who are dressed to represent more than 300 years of Castillo history. For more information, call 904-829-6506 or visit https://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/events/castillo-holiday-open-house-0. Location: 1 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Holiday in the Gardens – Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Dec 9

Come to Holiday in the Gardens to get the perfect family holiday photo and enjoy live entertainment, children’s arts and crafts, photos with Santa, tea with Mrs. Claus, plant sales and holiday arts and crafts vendors. Don’t forget to bring canned goods or a Toys for Tots donation for free entry! For more information, call 386-446-6783 or visit http://www.washingtonoaks.org/. Location: 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast, FL 32137

St. Augustine Maker’s Fest

Dec 9

Come to the St. Augustine Amphitheatre from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and join in as local artisans sell their crafts, give workshops for hands-on-learning experiences, and create make-and-take projects. Enjoy craft beer, local food vendors, music and more. For more information, visit https://staugustinemakersfest.org/. Location: 1340 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080

St. Augustine Historic Inns Bed & Breakfast Holiday Tour

Dec 8 – Dec 10

St. Augustine Historic Inns is offering a self-guided walking, holiday tour of more than 20 bed and breakfast locations. On Saturday and Sunday these locations will partner with a local restaurant, and on Monday there will be a cultural/heritage partner tour. For more information, visit https://staugustinebandbtour.com/.

St. Augustine Community Chorus Christmas Concert

Dec 15 – Dec 16

Enjoy a holiday concert by St. Augustine Community Chorus, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. For more information, call 904-436-3960 or visit https://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/events/st-augustine-community-chorus-christmas-concert. Location: 38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Gainesville Orchestra

Dec 19

Enjoy a night filled with classic music and pieces such as “Beloved Classic Melodies for a Winter’s Night” and Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony. For more information, call 904-808-7330 or visit http://www.emmaconcerts.com/. Location: 15 Old Mission Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Saint Anastasia Catholic Church Concert Series

Dec 22

Come to the Saint Anastasia Catholic Church Celebration Hall and join in on the performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors & Messiah Sing A Long. For more information, call 904-471-5364 or visit https://saccfl.org/2017-2018-concert-series-schedule/. Location: 5205 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080

St. Augustine Ballet Presents The Nutcracker

Dec 22 – Dec 23

See this holiday classic presented by the St. Augustine Ballet. For more information, call 855-222-2849 or visit https://www.saintaugustineballet.com/. Location: 14 Granada Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Nights of Lights Historic Walking Tour

Every Saturday

View more than two million dazzling white lights up close and personal, on a guided tour. Take in sights like the Lightner Museum courtyard, the Plaza da la Constitución and the Bayfront, while learning about colonial folklore and unique holiday traditions. The guided tour begins with treats provided by Claude’s Chocolates. For more information, call 904-825-0087 or visit http://www.staugcitywalks.com/. Location: 4 Granada St., St. Augustine, FL 32084

December Art Walk

First Friday of Every Month

The Art Galleries of St. Augustine bring the art community together for the First Friday Art Walk from 5-9 p.m. Enjoy a free self-guided tour, and hop aboard trains and trolleys that run throughout downtown. For more information, call 832-779-2781 or visit https://www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.com/first-friday-artwalk/.

Holiday Performances at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

Experience the live performances of “A Peter White Christmas” with Rick Braun and Euge Groove on Dec 11 and “A Christmas Story” on Dec 14 – 15. For more information, call (904) 209-0399 or visit www.pvconcerthall.com. Location: 1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach, 32082.

About St. Johns Cultural Council

The St. Johns Cultural Council is a 501© (3) not-for-profit agency. Under agreement with the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, the SJCC provides arts, culture and heritage tourism destination marketing services to the county’s Tourist Development Council (TDC). Funding for marketing services comes from a portion of the county’s bed tax. For more information, call (904) 808-7330 or visit www.stjohnsculture.com.

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